The Indonesian Air Force will receive another 18 French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets in phased deliveries between 2027 and 2029, according to Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Air Marshal Tedi Rizalihadi.
The aircraft form part of Indonesia’s broader order for 42 Rafale fighters placed with French aerospace company Dassault Aviation. Speaking at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on Wednesday, Tedi confirmed that the upcoming batches will start arriving next year.
“Next year, another 18 aircraft will begin arriving in stages, with deliveries expected to continue through 2029,” Tedi said. While he did not provide a detailed delivery schedule for this final tranche, he noted that the military has already prepared the necessary infrastructure to operate and maintain the multirole fighters.
Fleet Readiness and Prior Deliveries
To demonstrate operational readiness, Tedi pointed to Squadron 12 stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, where Rafale jets are already operating. Indonesia has taken delivery of six aircraft out of the 42 ordered so far. The initial three jets arrived in early 2026, followed by a second batch of three in May 2026, which were received directly by President Prabowo Subianto at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, as noted in supplementary reporting from Jawawa.id.
The acquisition was structured across three separate tranches. The first contract for six aircraft took effect in September 2022, followed by an 18-aircraft tranche in August 2023. The final tranche of 18 became effective in January 2024, finalizing the 42-jet order. Beyond the hardware, the agreement covers comprehensive training and logistical support for the Indonesian Air Force.
Did You Know? Dassault Aviation designates Indonesia as its first-time military customer for the Rafale and only the second customer for the aircraft in the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Strategic Fleet Diversification and Pilot Training
The integration of French-built combat aircraft represents a major diversification for the Indonesian Air Force, which has historically relied on US-built F-16s and Russian Sukhoi jets. To support this transition, the military is sending pilots to France for advanced training focused on weapons employment and air combat tactics.
Outlook and Future Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Rafale fighter jets is Indonesia purchasing in total?
Indonesia has ordered a total of 42 Rafale fighter jets from French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation.
When are the remaining jets scheduled to arrive?
According to Air Marshal Tedi Rizalihadi, an additional 18 aircraft will begin arriving in stages starting next year, with deliveries continuing through 2029.
How many Rafale jets has Indonesia received so far?
Indonesia has received six aircraft to date, with the first three arriving in early 2026 and another three arriving in May 2026.
How will the arrival of these French-built fighters impact Indonesia’s traditional reliance on US and Russian military aircraft?
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